BitePRO’s new range of anti-ligature clothing, STRONGTEX, was designed with comfort in mind to reduce the risk of individuals taking their own lives in healthcare and custodial settings
The very strong fabric all STRONGTEX garments are made from, effectively hinders the wearer’s ability to create a long enough piece of ligature to attach to an anchor point, or from swallowing a ligature.
This is to help prevent self-harm or suicides of individuals involuntarily placed in seclusion in either healthcare or custodial settings.
STRONGTEX is washable at 71C (160F), fire-retardant, durable, sturdy, anti-tear, and has been rigorously tested against international standards such as ISO 13937, which asses the tear properties of fabrics.
The company is planning to add options to further personalise their garments in the future. The options may include the introduction of new fabric colours or amendments to the garment design.
We wanted to reduce the risk of individuals taking their own lives within healthcare and custodial settings
Anti-ligature bedding is also expected to be added to the range in autumn/winter 2024.
Robert Kaiser, BitePRO’ s Founder and CEO said: “We had two key objectives that led to the creation of STRONGTEX. Primarily, we wanted to reduce the risk of individuals taking their own lives within healthcare and custodial settings.”
“Secondly, we wanted to achieve that by creating a range of dependable and comfortable anti-ligature clothing,” Kaiser explained.
“We know that comfort is extremely important, as it will help support individuals wearing such garments in retaining their identity, dignity, and promote their recovery,” Kaiser continued.
“It will also help to increase their sense of self-worth, especially when the garment is being worn over a longer period,” Kaiser added.
Anti-ligature bedding is also expected to be added to the range in autumn/winter 2024
“We believe that the more comfortable such a garment is, the less severe the behavioural disturbance the person may demonstrate, and that this likely will reduce the risk that person may represent to themselves and others,” Kaiser concluded.
Jim Still, Director of Business Development at BitePRO, stated in a YouTube video about STRONGTEX that this new range of protective clothing was designed for environments requiring the highest safety measures.
Still explained that STRONGTEX offers a solution and addresses a “critical need” for secure and comfortable clothing in psychiatric care, detention centres, and further settings, where the risk of self-harm is a concern.
